Slavia Praha Vs Ajax

As Ajax prepares for a significant Europa League clash against Slavia Prague on Thursday, the Dutch giants are eyeing their first-ever win in Czechia. Despite Ajax’s historical stature in European football, success on Czech soil has proven elusive. However, with a rejuvenated squad and a determined manager in Francesco Farioli, the Dutch side is more than ready to break this unwanted streak. This match not only marks another chapter in their quest for European glory but also serves as a test of how far they’ve come since a turbulent domestic season last year.

The Road to Recovery: Ajax’s Journey to Europa League Qualification

Last season was nothing short of a rollercoaster for Ajax. The club, which has long been a dominant force in Dutch football, found itself in unfamiliar territory. At one point, they languished in the bottom half of the Eredivisie, raising concerns about their ability to secure European football for the following season. However, in what can only be described as a remarkable recovery, Ajax climbed the standings and finished fifth in the league. This ensured their return to the European stage, a vital achievement for a club with such a rich continental history.

Their campaign in the Europa League this season got off to a flying start. On matchday one, Ajax delivered a masterclass performance against Turkish side Besiktas, securing an emphatic 4-0 victory at home. The scoreline could have been even more lopsided had it not been for the heroics of Besiktas goalkeeper Mert Gunok, who was kept busy throughout the match. Ajax's dominance was clear, with their attacking prowess complemented by a rock-solid defense that allowed no shots on target – a feat Ajax last achieved three years ago, coincidentally also against Besiktas.

This victory was just the latest in a busy European season for Ajax. Before reaching the group stage, they had to navigate three rounds of qualifiers, seeing off the likes of Vojvodina, Panathinaikos, and Jagiellonia Bialystok. This grueling schedule meant that Ajax had already played seven European matches before their clash with Slavia Prague, an impressive workload for any club.

Domestic Struggles: The Impact of Europa League on Eredivisie Form

While Ajax’s European form has been nothing short of impressive, their domestic campaign has been less convincing. Due to their participation in the Europa League qualifiers, Ajax has played only five league games so far, compared to the seven that other Eredivisie teams have completed. This has resulted in a somewhat shaky start to their domestic season, with Ajax already dropping five points. A surprising 2-1 defeat to NAC Breda and a 1-1 draw with Go Ahead Eagles have left fans questioning whether the club can juggle their European ambitions with the demands of the Eredivisie.

However, under the guidance of Francesco Farioli, there are signs that Ajax is building a formidable defense, reminiscent of the solidity he brought to Nice last season. Despite their domestic struggles, Ajax has conceded just one goal in their five Eredivisie matches, indicating that Farioli’s defensive philosophy is starting to take root.

The Quest for a European Clean Sheet

A major talking point heading into the match against Slavia Prague is Ajax’s long-standing difficulty in keeping clean sheets away from home in European competition. In fact, they have gone 14 away games in Europe without a clean sheet, conceding a staggering 29 goals during this period. The last time Ajax managed to prevent their opponents from scoring on their travels was over three and a half years ago. With Farioli’s emphasis on defensive organization, Ajax will be hopeful that this is the game where they can finally break that streak.

A Tough Task in Czechia: Ajax’s Struggles on Czech Soil

Ajax’s record in the Czech Republic is another hurdle they must overcome. Despite their storied history, the Dutch giants have never won an away match in Czechia. In six previous attempts against Czech clubs, Ajax has failed to come away with a victory. This includes matches against the likes of Slavia Prague, who will be eager to extend Ajax’s misery on Czech soil.

Nevertheless, Ajax has reason to be optimistic. The group stage draw has been relatively kind to them, with Slavia Prague arguably their toughest opponent. The other teams in the group – Qarabag, RFS, and Maccabi Tel-Aviv – are seen as less formidable opposition. If Ajax can manage a positive result in Prague, they should be well-positioned to accumulate enough points to advance comfortably to the knockout stages. With their attacking firepower and improving defense, they will fancy their chances of reaching a double-figure points tally by the end of the group stage.

Slavia Prague: A Formidable Opponent on Home Turf

While Ajax will be focused on breaking their winless run in Czechia, Slavia Prague will be determined to maintain their impressive start to the season. The Czech champions have been in scintillating form, winning 12 of their 14 matches across all competitions. This exceptional run of form has seen them establish a three-point lead over their fierce rivals, Sparta Prague, at the top of the Czech First League.

Despite their domestic dominance, Slavia’s European campaign has already experienced a setback. In the Champions League playoffs, they were eliminated by French side Lille, despite putting up a valiant fight. Slavia won the second leg of the tie, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit from the first leg, much to the frustration of their manager, Jindřich Trpišovský. The defeat meant Slavia had to settle for a place in the Europa League, where they are now eager to make their mark.

Slavia’s Europa League journey got off to a promising start with a 2-0 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad on matchday one. Goals from Matej Jurasek and Mojmir Chytil secured all three points for the Cervenobili, who also kept a clean sheet. This defensive solidity has been a hallmark of Slavia’s play this season, with the team going almost eight hours without conceding a goal. Their last defensive lapse came in that ill-fated Champions League tie against Lille in August.

Slavia’s Record Against Dutch Opposition

When it comes to facing Dutch opposition, Slavia Prague has a mixed record. They have faced Dutch teams on seven occasions in European competition, but Ajax remains the only one they have beaten. Their famous triumph over the Dutch giants came in the 2007 Champions League qualifiers when Slavia stunned Ajax by winning both legs to progress to the group stage. The two sides met again the following year in the UEFA Cup group stage, playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Amsterdam.

For Slavia, the chance to claim another scalp against Ajax is an enticing prospect. The Czech side will be buoyed by their recent form and the knowledge that they have caused Ajax problems in the past. With the added motivation of a looming Prague derby against Sparta at the weekend, Slavia will be looking to build momentum with a strong performance on Thursday.

Key Players to Watch

For Ajax, much of their attacking threat will come from players like Kian Fitz-Jim, who has already made a significant impact this season. Fitz-Jim was on the scoresheet in Ajax’s recent victory over Besiktas, and his creativity and goal-scoring ability will be crucial if Ajax is to break down a well-organized Slavia defense. Additionally, Ajax’s experienced campaigners, such as captain Steven Bergwijn and defensive stalwart Jurrien Timber, will need to be at their best to lead the team through this challenging fixture.

Slavia Prague, on the other hand, will look to Mojmir Chytil to provide the firepower up front. Chytil has been in fine form this season, and his goal against Ludogorets on matchday one demonstrated his clinical finishing. Alongside him, Matej Jurasek’s creativity in midfield will be key to unlocking Ajax’s defense. Slavia’s defensive unit, led by experienced center-back Taras Kacharaba, will also be crucial in keeping Ajax’s potent attack at bay.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Europa League Clash

As Ajax and Slavia Prague prepare to face off, the stakes could not be higher. For Ajax, this match represents an opportunity to banish the ghosts of their past struggles in Czechia and continue their impressive Europa League campaign. Slavia Prague, meanwhile, will be aiming to add another famous victory to their European resume and build momentum ahead of the crucial Prague derby.

With both teams in fine form and plenty to play for, this promises to be an enthralling contest. The outcome could have a significant impact on the trajectory of their Europa League campaigns, and for Ajax, it might just be the match where they finally taste victory in Czechia.